Keeper for traveling bag frames



Oct. 19, 1937.

A. T. LONG KEEPER FOR TRAVELING BAG FRAMES Filed Dec. 51, 1936 anus "1M G NO-IMAM Patented Oct. 19, 1937 UNITED I STATES 3 Claims.

This invention relates to the frames of bags, satchels and the like, and particularly to those frames in which slotted keepers, angular in cross-- section, are attached to one: frame of thebag and latches are pivoted to the complementary outer frame of the bag, the latches having tangs which, when the latches are turned down against the frame, extend through the slots of the keepers and hold the bag closed, such latches and keepers being commonly found on what are known as Gladstone bags or traveling bags of like character.

The object of my invention will be best seen after consideration of certain figures of the drawmg.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal fragmentary section through a bag frame with my improved keeper applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a like section to Figiue 2 but showing the latch partially depressed against the inclined portion of the keeper.

Figure i is a perspective view of the keeper.

The object of the present invention. is to so form the keeper that when the tang of the latch is depressed, within frames not fully in register, the

tang will be guided into the slot of the keeper and the frames will be drawn together by the latching action.

As will be seen from Figures 1 to 4, B designates one of the sheet metal frames and C the opposed sheet metal frame. These are angular in crosssection and the horizontal flange c of the frame C overlaps the relatively short flange bof the frame B. Attached to the inner face of the frame B is the keeper H) which consists of a strip of relatively rigid stamped metal preferably steel, this keeper l0 being angularly bent so as to provide an attaching flange I l which is riveted or otherwise attached, as at I2, to the inner face of the frame B below the flange b thereof. The body of the keeper extends laterally outward from the flange I I and is formed with a longitudinally extending slot I3, as usual. The particular improvement of the keeper consists in bending the outer margin I4 of the keeper upward and laterally at an angle of approximately 45 to the horizontal portion of the keeper, this inclined margin 54 extending to one margin of the slot I3 or, in other words, all that portion of the keeper outward of the slot I3 is bent upward at an inclination to the body of the keeper.

I have illustrated a common form of latch "FATE- Allen T. Long, Petcrsburg, Va.

Application December 31, 1936, Serial No. 118,688

which is no part of my invention, the latch having a body i5 riveted or otherwise attached to the frame C, this latch having a'hinged hasp I6 formed with a tang ll which extends downward in a curve toward the outer end of the bag. This tang is provided with a stop lug I8 at its extremity. A spring l9 normally holds the hasp either in a raised or lowered position. When the hasp is lowered, the tang, of course, extends through a slot in the flange c and through the slot 13. When the hasp I6 is fully raised, the tang is withdrawn from its engagement with the slot I3, thus permitting the two frames B and C to be drawn apart and the bag opened.

With this construction, if the bag is not fully closed, that is, the frames B and C are not brought fully into register and the hasp I6 is snapped or pushed down, the extremity of the tang I! will strike against the inclined margin l4. and this is of such an angle that the tang will wedge the frame B inward and the tang I! will be guided into the slot l3 without any tendency for the tang tobebroken or bent or the keeper to be broken or bent.

Actual use of this device has shown it to be extremely convenient and eflicacious for the purpose intended because it is no longer necessary to make certain that the two frames are fully closed one within the other as the snapping or forcing down of the latch will cause the two frames to move into a position of registry, thus distributing the strain on the bag frame. This is particularly desirable where the bag is so well filled that the contents of the bag exert such a pressure as tends to open the bag. It is under these circumstances that there is likelihood of the frames not being entirely closed and of the latches becoming bent in an endeavor to force them to a locked position, and this is obviated by my device.

While I have illustrated and described my improved keeper as being applied to the frames of what are known as Gladstone bags, I wish it distinctly understood that this particular keeper is applicable to frames of other forms of traveling.

bags, to the frames of satchels and to the frames of hand bags in which keepers of this character are used.

What is claimed is: V

1. In a bag having two coacting frames closing one within the other, the outer frame having a depressible latch provided with a depending tang, a longitudinally slotted keeper attached to the inner frame and extending laterally therefrom, the outer margin of the keeper being inclined laterally and toward the outer face of the frame,

1 ,eaid inclined margin intersecting the slotin the keeper. 7

2. In a, bag having two eoacting frames closing one within the ather, the outer frame having-a; 'depressibl e latch provided with a-dpen'ding tang, la lbngitndinally slotted 'keeper attached toithe inner frame and: extending laterally 'ftherefrom,

the enter margin of the keeper being inclined 1aterally and toward the'outer faceof thefrgme, saidineiined margin intersecting the slot in the keeper, the inclined lateral margin 01f the keeper f defining one side of said slotz" 12,096,187 V V e 3. As an article of'manuiacturm a, keeper for bags of the character desc'ribed,,comprising a.

V strip of rigid metal formed to provide an attaching flangQthebody pprtion ,of the keeper extending approximately at' right angles'i'to' the flange and beinglongitndinallyrslottd, the'duter free margin 'of the keeper being 'bentrl'n a'dii'eetion away from the inside face of-the keeper, the

inclined margin defining one side of said: slot,

ALLEN 1T. LONG. V 

